Journey Together

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another” 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Lonely but not Alone

“For by one Spirit we were all baptised into one body.” (1Cor 12:13) It’s strange but true that someone can feel lonely in a crowd even though they are definitely not alone. So many people in London are lonely, but many are not alone. It’s so wonderful that as part of a church we can enjoy friendship, belonging and community. Usually we can’t really find that until we not only join in with community as a whole on Sundays but as we come together in small groups and serve together in smaller groups or ministries in the church. It does involve making an effort and putting time aside to do it but it’s well worth it. We can find real friendships, learn new things, grow personally, encounter God and minister to others.

Resolve Conflict Quickly

“Do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Eph 4:26) There’s a really fun song we listened to as children that had the line “The more get together the happier we'll be, cos your friends are my friends & my friends are your friends”. Wouldn’t it be great if that was true! Unfortunately when we join small groups and connect with others conflicts of different levels and offences can sour things. “The Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth”(John 16:13) Picture this the couple are spending a lovely evening at home, suddenly the wife notices the bin has not been emptied again! She is furious and pours the bin contents all over the husbands feet and stomps off slamming the door. She doesn’t get very far as half way down the hallway the Holy Spirit says “hello, what’s going on?” She says “argh” then turns around goes back, apologises and they discuss resolutions and make up. From that day on they do not mention the incident again as it is forgotten and forgiven.

Just as with this couple we need to guard and nurture our Christian relationships by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct how we relate to each other by following a few principles. Be honest and discuss difficulties, forgive and move on. So many get offended and pull away from a relationship or even a whole church because of one incident. How sad! It’s safe to connect more closely to others if we resolve things quickly and move on. The longer you leave it the worse it gets and usually it gets way out of proportion to what it once was.

A Picture of Heaven

“A great multitude which no one could number of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues standing before the throne.” Revelation 7:9. When you walk into CCC there are so many different types of people it’s a wonderful sight! We are blessed to have so many different people and we have the opportunity to get to know them. There’s so much to learn from people who are different to us and its such fun experiencing new ways of looking at things together. It’s great to continually remind ourselves of the blessing of being able to get to know others who are from different backgrounds and to make an effort to seek out a whole range of relationships.

As we come into a new season of life groups, lets enjoy the richness of what we have together however different we may be in some ways. Let’s not let offences get in but show the world it is possible to get together and be happier than ever.

With our love and prayers,
Pastors Phil & Caroline.